Coast Guard Brings Two to Erie By Helicopter After Water Rescue

Published 07/03 2014 10:23PM

Updated 07/03 2014 11:09PM

JULY 3, 2014-- For two area men a day on the water turned into a scary afternoon, when their boat capsized and they had to be rescued from Lake Erie. The victims were flown to Erie International Airport where they were met by EMS crews and transported to UPMC Hamot for treatment. The 17 foot boat they were on overturned and was taking on water, just three miles off the coast, near Conneaut, Ohio. Officials say fortunately for the boaters, they were in cell phone service range. The U.S. Coast Guard out of Detroit was able to get the GPS coordinates from the phone call and did a live rescue using its helicopter. The men were in the water wearing life jackets when the coast guard arrived. Officials say the men were in good condition and were released from the hospital. The U.S. Coast Guard says the men did everything correctly and the cell phone helped save their lives. Officials recommend having a personal locator on board for anyone who is going out on the great lakes.

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